Everyone says that using credit card ofcourse lands you in financial troubles. Trust me choosing the right credit card for your needs is like saving thousands of dollars. I have brought a list of top 10 credit cards in India you can use when you travel, do shopping and everything you need to know in this guide.
“Explore the top 10 credit cards in India for 2025, covering benefits, charges, activation fees, and the ideal customer for each card. Find the perfect credit card tailored to your needs!”
Top 10 Credit Cards in India (2025): Benefits, Charges, and Ideal Customers
So as discussed, choosing the right credit card can significantly enhance your financial flexibility and rewards. India offers a variety of credit cards tailored to different customer needs—whether you’re looking for cashback, travel benefits, low fees, or high reward points. Here’s a guide to the top 10 credit cards in India, with their benefits, charges, and best-suited customers, all in one place.
What to Consider When Choosing a Credit Card
To find the right credit card, it’s essential to look at factors like annual fees, reward programs, interest rates, and additional perks that align with your spending habits.
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Activation Fee | Key Benefits | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Regalia Credit Card | INR 2,500 + taxes | No charge | High reward points, lounge access, global acceptance | Frequent travelers |
| SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card | INR 499 + taxes | No charge | Online shopping rewards, fuel surcharge waiver, Amazon vouchers | Online shoppers |
| Axis Bank Ace Credit Card | INR 499 + taxes | No charge | 5% cashback on select platforms, 2% on others, easy rewards redemption | Cashback seekers |
| ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card | No annual fee | No charge | 5% cashback on Amazon, fuel surcharge waiver | Amazon shoppers |
| American Express Membership Card | INR 4,500 + taxes | No charge | Exclusive dining, travel offers, high reward points | High spenders and luxury seekers |
| YES Prosperity Reward+ Card | INR 499 + taxes | No charge | Reward points on all transactions, low fees | Budget-conscious users |
| Kotak Mahindra Royale Signature | INR 999 + taxes | No charge | 4x reward points on international spends, low-interest rates | International travelers |
| IndusInd Bank Legend Credit Card | INR 1,500 + taxes | No charge | Lifestyle benefits, free movie tickets, golf privileges | Lifestyle and leisure seekers |
| RBL Bank ShopRite Credit Card | INR 500 + taxes | No charge | Grocery rewards, fuel surcharge waiver | Grocery shoppers |
| Standard Chartered Super Value | INR 750 + taxes | No charge | Fuel cashback, telecom bill cashback, dining discounts | Fuel and telecom bill payments |
Overview of Top 10 Credit Cards in India you can start using in 2025
1. HDFC Regalia Credit Card
- Annual Fee: INR 2,500 + taxes
- Benefits: Earn reward points on all purchases, exclusive lounge access across international and domestic airports, and concierge services.
- Ideal For: Frequent travelers who prioritize premium experiences and rewards.
2. SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card
- Annual Fee: INR 499 + taxes
- Benefits: Earn extra reward points for online shopping on partner sites like Amazon, BookMyShow, and Cleartrip. Enjoy fuel surcharge waivers and annual renewal benefits.
- Ideal For: Shoppers who frequently make online purchases.
3. Axis Bank Ace Credit Card
- Annual Fee: INR 499 + taxes
- Benefits: Cashback-focused with 5% cashback on platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, and 2% cashback on other spends.
- Ideal For: People looking to maximize cashback rewards on everyday expenses.
4. ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card
- Annual Fee: No fee
- Benefits: Get up to 5% cashback on Amazon spends, making it ideal for Amazon Prime users. Also offers a fuel surcharge waiver and no joining or annual fees.
- Ideal For: Amazon shoppers and those looking for a no-fee credit card.
5. American Express Membership Rewards Card
- Annual Fee: INR 4,500 + taxes
- Benefits: High reward rate on every INR 50 spent, premium dining and travel offers, access to the Amex concierge, and more.
- Ideal For: High-spenders looking for exclusive lifestyle benefits.
6. YES Bank Prosperity Reward+ Credit Card
- Annual Fee: INR 499 + taxes
- Benefits: Earn rewards on every transaction, plus enjoy fuel surcharge waivers. The renewal fee is waived if you achieve an annual spend target.
- Ideal For: Budget-conscious users who want rewards without a high fee.
7. Kotak Mahindra Royale Signature Credit Card
- Annual Fee: INR 999 + taxes
- Benefits: Earn 4x reward points on international spends, with low interest rates and complimentary airport lounge access.
- Ideal For: International travelers and frequent flyers.
8. IndusInd Bank Legend Credit Card
- Annual Fee: INR 1,500 + taxes
- Benefits: Enjoy complimentary movie tickets, lifestyle privileges like golf, and reward points on all spends.
- Ideal For: Customers seeking lifestyle benefits and exclusive experiences.
9. RBL Bank ShopRite Credit Card
- Annual Fee: INR 500 + taxes
- Benefits: Ideal for groceries, with higher rewards on supermarket spends and fuel surcharge waivers.
- Ideal For: Grocery shoppers who want to save on essentials.
10. Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium Card
- Annual Fee: INR 750 + taxes
- Benefits: Cashback on fuel spends, telecom bill payments, and dining discounts, providing great value on monthly expenses.
- Ideal For: Those with regular fuel and telecom expenses.
How to Choose the Best Credit Card from these top 10 cards?
When selecting a credit card, consider the factors like spending habits, fees and charges, reward rates, redemption flexibility and ofcourse customer support. So, let’s discuss it in details as to what aspects are more important while choosing the right credit card.
- Spending Habits
First thing before any thoughts comes to you for buying a credit card is our spending expenses. Just look at where you spend the most, check your expenditure history like online shopping, travel, dining, or essentials. Thus, choose a card that offers the highest rewards in your spending categories. Many credit card companies stick to one or two categories max.
- Fees and Charges
Second thing that is charges. Let’s understand the annual, activation fees and other hidden charges that you ended up revealing after activation. Some cards offer annual fee waivers if you reach specific spending milestones. Just check if you fals into that category or not, what is your monthly spend limit etc or if the total year amount goes closer to waver fees.
- Reward Rate
Another factor and one of the important factors is calculating the reward rate for each card, as some cards have specific categories where you can earn more rewards. Take an example that you spend 20 thousand per month and you earn rewards of 1000 rupees. Go for such card if it suits your needs
- Redemption Flexibility
First look at the redemption options. Some cards allow flexible reward redemption, while others have limitations. Like ICICI Bank credit cards does not offer Amazon or Flipkart coupons, that means you can not redeem your points or get an coupons for them. However, you can redeem brands like H&M, Lifestyle, Max etc.
- Customer Support & Other Benefits
The most important factor is customer service. Yes, the right card can add benefits such as dedicated customer service when your card is lost, you can quickly stop it being misused. Sending mailers or sms for exclusive discounts, or complimentary access to events.
Final Thoughts
So many credit cards available in India, choosing the right one requires assessing your lifestyle, financial needs, and spending preferences. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, an online shopper, or someone who prioritizes cashback, there’s a card to fit your needs. By understanding each card’s benefits, fees, and the ideal customer, you can make a best choice to maximize your rewards and minimize costs.